Toilet tissue roller



July 4, 1967 E. J. PARADISO 3,329,367

TOILET TI SSUE ROLLER Filed Nov. 17, 1966 United States Patent 3,329,367 TOILET TISSUE ROLLER Erasmus]. Paradiso, 14 Stonington Circle, Wheatley Heights, Wyandanch, N.Y. 11798 Filed Nov. 17, 1966, Ser. No. 595,223 Claims. (Cl. 24255.55)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The disclosure herein is directed toward a toilet tissue roller constructed of two separable, extensible and retractable portions receivable within the core of a tissue roll, the individual portions in turn receiving and dispensing fumes of deodorant capsules or the like.

The instant invention generally relates to a toilet tissue roller, and is more particularly concerned with a roller which will grip the internal core of a toilet tissue roll and mount within the holder in a manner so as to insure a smooth and silent operation thereof while the paper is being dispensed.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the instant invention to provide a roller which both internally grips the cardboard core of a toilet tissue roll, and is adjustable so as to frictionally engage within the wall mounted holder whereby any degree of resistance to the free rolling of the roll as the tissue is bieing pulled therefrom can be achieved.

Another highly significant object of the instant invention resides in the provision of a roll mounting roller which is simultaneously capable of operation as a deodorant dispenser.

Further, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a toilet tissue roller which is inexpensive, capable of being easily mass produced such as by conventional blow molding processes, sturdy, easy to both use and adjust, and attractive in appearance.

Basically, the roller of the instant invention is made in two cylindrical sections, each having a reduced threaded neck at one end which mates with the other neck so as to secure the cylindrical sections together and form one elongated unit for reception within the cardboard core of a toilet tissue roll. The exteriorof both of the cylindrical sections have projecting spiraling ribs or threads thereon for a gripping of the internal surface of the cardboard core. The outer end of each of the sections includes a perforated end plate which communicates with the hollow interior of each of the cylinders for the discharge of deodorant fumes therethrough, such fumes originating from capsules or the like introduced into one or both of the sections through the open necks. Just onward of each of the perforated end panels or plates is a gripping head comprising a pair of enlarged crossed ribs or the like from which a mounting shaft centrally projects for reception within the holder slots or holes. The cross ribbed turning heads can be manipulated so as to vary the length of the roller, thereby varying the frictional contact of the mounting shafts with the holder apertures so as to eliminate the tendency of the tissue .roll to roll too freely and efiect an excessive unrolling of the paper.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a toilet tissue roll mounted utilizing the roller of the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken ice substantially on a plane passing along line 2-2 in FIG URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a partial transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 33 in FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective View of the two roller sections.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, ref erence numeral 10 is used to generally designate the tissue roll holding roller comprising the instant invention. This roller is formed in two separable sections 12 and 14, each including an enlarged hollow cylindrical body 16 and 18 terminating in an open reduced diameter connecting neck or neck portions 20 and 22. As will be appreciated from the drawings, the neck portion 20 of the section 12 is telescopically receivable within the neck portion 22 of the section 14 with the length of projection thereinto being regulated through a threaded engagement between the necks 20 and 22, the neck 20 having external threads thereon which mate within the internal threads of the neck 22. It is through this threaded interlocking of the sections 12 and 14 that the length of the roller itself can be adjusted as desired for reasons which shall be pointed out subsequently.

Each of the sections 12 and 14 is specifically formed as a hollow container for receiving deodorant capsules or the like 24 for a selective dispensing of the fumes. Such capsules 24 will be introduced into either or both of the hollow cylindrical bodies 16 and 18 through the open necks prior to a joining of the sections 12 and 14 with the fumes escaping through perforated outer end plates 26 and 28 on the outer ends of the two section bodies 16 and 18.

In order to facilitate a rotation of the sections 12 and 14 relative to each other, and a corresponding lengthening or shortening of the roller 10, each of the sections 12 and 14 is provided with an adjusting or manipulating outer end portion comprising, in each instance, a pair of crossed longitudinally extending ribs 30, on the section 12, and 32 on the section 14. These ribs 30 and 32 have the outer ends thereof located at equally spaced points peripherally about the outer ends of the sections 12 and 14 so as to provide a convenient gripping area for manipulation of the sections by the fingers of a user. As will be appreciated from FIGURES 1 and 2, these gripping portions will be exposed at the opposite ends of the tissue roll 34.

Integrally formed with the crossed ribs 30 and 32 at each end of the roller 10 is a mounting shaft 36 and 38, each including a reduced outer end portion and an enlarged inner portion which define abutment shoulders 40 and 42 therebetween. The reduced outer ends of the shafts 36 and 3 8 are provided for rotational reception within the conventional mounting slots or holes 44 provided in a wall mounted tissue holder 46 as illustrated in FIG- URES 1 and 2. The shoulders 40 and 42 abut against the holder wall adjacent each of the shaft receiving slots 44 so as to define a frictional drag against the rolling of the roller 10 with the tissue roll 34 mounted thereon. In this manner, it will be appreciated that there will be no free rolling of the roll 34, thereby providing for a smooth and silent operation of the unit. Incidently, it will be noted that the exterior of each of the section bodies 16 and 18 is provided with a spiral rib 48 and 50 thereon, these two ribs acting so as to grip the interior of the roll core 52 whereby relative movement therebetween is substantially eliminated. This in turn results in the roll 34 and roller 10 rotating simultaneously whereby, through the varying of the degree of friction between the shaft shoulders 40 and 42 and the tissue holder 46, an exact control can be had over the rate at which the paper 1s dispensed. This in turn, as noted above, provides for a silent and efficient operation. The spiraling of the exterior ribs 48 and 50 about the exterior of the bodies 16 and 18 is significant in that the rotation of the sections 12 and 14 relative to each other through a manipulation of the adjusting ends comprising the ribs and 32 is facilitated as the ribs 48 and 50 in effect thread into and out of the interior roll core 52.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a unique roller for toilet tissue rolls has been defined. This roller, in addition to incorporating two hollow inner chambers from which a deodorant can be dispensed, is constructed in a manner whereby the cardboard core of a conventional roll of toilet tissue is firmly engaged so as to effect a simultaneous rotation of the roll and roller therefor with this rotation in turn being frictionally controlled by an engagement of the mounting shaft ends of the roller with the conventional wall mounted holder. The length of the roller is adjustable whereby the degree of frictional engagement with the holder can be varied so as to in the same manner vary the frictional drag on the paper as it is being dispensed. Thus, there will be no loose rattling of the roll or roller within the holder, this in turn producing an extremely quiet operating device. The actual manipulation of the roller so as to effect a change in the length thereof is facilitated by gripping end portions comprising in each instance crossed ribs which can be easily grasped by ones fingers even after a mounting of the roller within the holder. This ability to longitudinally adjust through a quick rotation of either or both of the sections relative to each other enables the production of an extremely inexpensive unit, not requiring the incorporation of a spring or the like as in the more conventional roller. Further, while not specifically noted supra, it is contemplated that the two mating sections be blow molded of a suitable plastic material, thereby further adapting the roller for inexpensive mass production.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A paper roll holding roller comprising a pair of longitudinally aligned substantially equal length roller sections, means for longitudinally adjusting said sections relative to each other and locking said sections to each other in a longitudinally adjusted position, each of said sections including a constant diameter longitudinally oriented cylindrical body constituting a substantial portion of the length of the section, said means for adjusting and locking said sections comprising reduced diameter longitudinally extending neck portions on the inner ends of said bodies, said neck portions being telescopic and including interengaging threads thereon for an extension and retraction of the bodies relative to each other, and mounting means on the outer ends of said bodies for rotatable reception within a holder.

2. The roller of claim 1 wherein each of said cylinrirical bodies is provided with an outwardly projecting roll core engaging rib thereabout for substantially the full length thereof.

3. The roller of claim 2 wherein said rib follows a spiral path about the body for facilitating a screw-like manipulation within a roll core during the insertion and removal of each section.

4. The roller of claim 3 wherein each of said bodies and the associated neck portions are hollow for the reception of a deodorizing substance or the like therein, said neck portions being completely disengageable from each other and opening outwardly relative to said bodies for the introduction of a substance therethrough into one or both of said bodies, the outer ends of said bodies having a plurality of fume passing apertures defined therein.

5. The roller of claim 4 including a gripping and manipulating portion on the outer end of each of said bodies, said portion comprising a pair of longitudinally extending relatively narrow crossed ribs presenting peripherally spaced laterally directed gripping outer ends, said mounting means projecting longitudinally from the outer edges of said crossed ribs.

6. The roller of claim 1 wherein at least one of said bodies and the associated neck portion is h-ollow for the reception of a deodorizing substance or the like therein, said neck portions being completely disengageable from each other to allow the introduction of the substance through the hollow neck portion, said hollow body having a plurality of fume passing apertures defined therein.

7. A roller for toilet tissue rolls comprising a pair of longitudinally aligned substantially equal length roller sections, each section including an enlarged constant diameter longitudinally oriented hollow cylindrical body constituting a substantial portion of the length of the section and a reduced hollow open-ended neck integrally projecting from the inner end thereof, the necks of the two sections being telescopically adjustable whereby a varying in the effective length of the roller can be achieved, said necks being completely separable so as to enable the introduction of a deodorizing substance or the like therethrough into said hollow bodies, the outer end of each of said bodies being closed by a perforated fume passing end panel, and a rigid reduced diameter mounting shaft projecting coaxially from the outer end of each of said bodies.

8. The roller of claim 7 wherein each of said mounting shafts has a radially outward projecting abutment shoulder defined thereabout for selective roll tensioning frictional engagement with a wall mounted holder upon the mounting of the roller therein so as to prevent free rolling thereof.

9. The roller of claim 8 wherein each of said bodies is provided with an outwardly projecting roll core gripping rib following a spiral path about the exterior surface thereof.

10. The roller of claim 8 including a section manipulating portion on the outer end of each of said bodies, said portion comprising a pair of longitudinally extending relatively narrow crossed members presenting peripherally spaced laterally directed grip forming outer ends, said mounting shafts extending outwardly from the outer limits of said crossed members.

No references cited.

FRANK J. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

G. F. MAUTZ, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A PAPER ROLL HOLDING ROLLER COMPRISING A PAIR OF LONGITUDINALLY ALIGNED SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL LENGTH ROLLER SECTIONS, MEAN FOR LONGITUDINALLY ADJUSTING SAID SECTIONS RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER AND LOCKING SAID SECTIONS TO EACH OTHER IN A LONGITUDINALLY ADJUSTED POSITION, EACH OF SAID SECTIONS INCLUDING A CONSTANT DIAMETER LONGITUDINALLY ORIENTED CYLINDRICAL BODY CONSTITUTING A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE LENGTH OF THE SECTION, SAID MEANS FOR ADJUSTING AND LOCKING SAID SECTIONS COMPRISING REDUCED DIAMETER LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING NECK PORTIONS ON THE INNER ENDS OF SAID BODIES, SAID NECK PORTIONS BEING TELESCOPIC AND 